New Academy Award winners Sandra Bullock, Jeff Bridges, Mo’Nique, Christoph Waltz and director Kathryn Bigelow spent some time talking to the press after their big wins. Bullock, Mo’nique, Waltz and Bigelow were nominated for the first time in their careers this awards season; Bridges won his statue for his fifth career nomination.

“This came out of left field,” Sandra Bullock told reporters as she brandished her award for Best Actress. “This was the film I said ‘no’ to,” the actress explained. Bullock received her first nomination and win for The Blind Side, in which she plays Leigh Anne Tuohy. “Things came together in a way that I didn’t see coming,” she said of the film.

Best Actor Jeff Bridges talked about the Academy Awards and filmmaking in general during his time with the press. “I’m all for ten Best Pictures,” he said, referring to the expanded category which saw ten nominations in lieu of the traditional five, though he lamented that his film Crazy Heart was not one of the nominees in the category. “Movies are more than just entertainment,” he observed. “They’re connecting us.”

“This role has shaped my life,” comedienne-turned dramatic actress Mo’Nique spoke about filming Precious. She spoke of Oscar winner Hattie McDaniel during her acceptance speech, and again while conversing with the press. First-time Best Supporting Actress nominee and winner Mo’Nique wore a blue gown and a gardenia in her hair for the awards ceremony in honor of the pioneering actress. McDaniel won the award for Best Supporting Actress in 1940 by virtue of her work in Gone With the Wind.

“This, I did not see coming,” Christoph Waltz said of his Best Supporting Actor win (Inglourious Basterds). He advised young actors “not to think of awards before starting the job” of making a film.

History-making Best Director Kathryn Bigelow tried not to get her hopes up before Oscar night. “I don’t think I ever dared to hope,” she said of her headline-making win. Bigelow spoke of the “love of the critical community,” she enjoyed while making The Hurt Locker, which became the evening’s big winner. In addition to the Best Director win, the flick took the award in the Best Original Screenplay, Editing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Best Picture categories.